%- 


LETTER 


TO    THE 


FARMERS    OF    MASSACHUSETTS, 


ON    THE   SUBJECT    OF    AN 


AGRICULTURAL  SURVEY  OF  THE  STATE 


AUTHORITY    OF    THE    LEGISLATURE. 


BY   HENRY    COLMAN, 

COBIMISSIONER      FOB      SUCH     SURVEY 


BOSTON: 

WEEKS,    JORDAN    AND    COMPANY, 

Literary  Rooms,  121  VVa-sliinglou  Street. 

1837. 


'^- 


LETTER 


TO    THE 


FARMERS    OF    MASSACHUSETTS, 


ON    THE    SUBJECT    OF    AN 


AGRICULTURAL  SURVEY  OF  THE  STATE 


AUTHORITY    OF    THE    LEGISLATURE. 


BY   HENRY    COLMAN, 

COMMISSIONER   FOR   SUCH  SURVEY. 


BOSTON: 
WEEKS,    JORDAN    AND    COMPANY, 

Literary  Rooms,  121  W^sliinglou  Street. 

1837. 


\ 


UNIVERSITY  OF  MASSACHUSETTS 
AT  AMHERST 


UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 

Special  Collections  &  Rare  Books 


CIRCULAR. 


To 

Sir,  —  Having  been  appointed  by  the  Executive  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, under  the  provisions  of  a  Resolve  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, passed  at  its  last  session.  Commissioner  to  make  an  Agri- 
cultural Survey  of  the  State,  I  take  the  liberty  of  addressing 
this  Circular  to  several  gentlemen  of  intelligence  and  respecta- 
bility in  the  different  towns,  yourself  among  others,  with  a  view 
to  obtain  their  advice  and  co-operation  in  accomplishing  such 
survey. 

You  will  allow  me,  then,  to  point  out  the  general  objects 
of  inquiry  ;  and  to  solicit  particularly  your  attention  to  them  ;  that 
when  I  visit  you,  as  I  shall  ask  the  pleasure  of  doing,  you  will 
be  able  to  give  me,  in  respect  to  those  which  have  been  the 
subjects,  either  of  your  experience,  inquiry,  or  observation,  the 
desired  information.  By  the  Resolve  it  is  made  the  duty  of  the 
Commissioner  "  To  collect  accurate  information  of  the  state 
and  condition  of  the  Agriculture  of  the  Commonwealth,  and 
every  subject  connected  with  it ;  point  out  the  means  of  im- 
provement ;  and  make  a  detailed  report  thereof,  with  as  much 
exactness  as  circumstances  will  admit."  From  the  terms  of  the 
Resolve  it  is  apparent  that  the  duty  is  very  comprehensive;  as 
it  embraces  every  subject  connected  with  the  agriculture  of  the 
State,  and  the  means  of  its  improvement.  The  more  full 
however  it  is,  the  more  useful  it  is  likely  to  prove ;  and  exact- 
ness in  the  information  obtained  is  obviously  of  the  very  highest 
importance.  I  will  now  point  out  some  of  the  objects  to  which 
inquiries  will  be  directed. 

I.  The  Nature  of  the  Soil,  in  different  parts  of  the 
State  ;  and  particularly  in  reference  to  the  crops 
cultivated. 


II.  The  Climate,  with  reference  to  the  crops  grown ; 
the  usual  time  of  ploughing,  planting,  and  harvest- 
ing ;   the  occurrence  of  early  frosts  ;  the  length  of 
winter  ;  the  average  temperature  ;  and  the  quan- 
tity of  rain  or  snow  in  any  year. 

It  is  desirable  that  meteorological   observations  should   be 
made  in  different  parts  of  the  State. 

III.  1.  The  Number  of  Acres  in  any  town  cultivated 
or  in  any  form  productive. 

2.  in  wood,  timber,  &c. 

3.  capable  of  cultivation  but  unproductive. 

4.  waste  or  irreclaimable. 

IV.  Products. 

1.  The  amount  raised  in  any  town  in  any  given  year. 

2.  The  average  yield  of  any  crop  per  acre. 

V.  Crops  cultivated ;  among  which  are  the  following: 


Wheat. 

Hemp. 

Herds  Grass. 

Potatoes. 

Indian  Corn. 

Flax. 

Clovers. 

Onions. 

Rye. 

Tobacco. 

Red  top. 

Cabbages. 

Barley. 

Hops. 

Orchard. 

Carrots. 

Oats. 

Broom  Corn. 

Lucerne. 

Parsnips. 

Buck  Wheat. 

Teasles. 

Tall  Meadow 

Beets. 

Peas. 

Madder. 

Oats. 

Artichokes. 

Beans. 

Woad. 

English  Bent. 

Pumpkins. 

Tares. 

Saffron. 

Rye  Grass. 

Turnips. 

Lupins. 

Rape. 

Millet. 

Fruits. 

Mints. 

Foul  Meadow. 

Garden  Vege 

Blue  Grass. 

tables. 

Grass  for  Bon- 

Salt Meadow  G 

rasses. 

nets, 

Thatch. 

Mulberry  for 

Silk. 

Sunflower  for  Oil. 

Poppy  for  Opium. 

Mustard. 

Succory. 

VI.  Other  Products. 

Wool.  Beef.  Mutton.  Cheese. 

Silk.  Pork.  Lard.  Butter. 

VII.  Rotation  of  crops. 

VIII.  Modes  of  Cultivation. 

1.  Soils  adapted  to  particular  crops. 

2.  Preparation  of  the  soil  by  ploughing  and  manures. 

3.  Seeds;  selection;  change  of  seed ;  quantity;  preparation; 
steeps  for  seeds;  preservation  of  seed  from  worms,  birds,  and 
vermin. 

4.  Care  and  management  of  the  growing  crop. 
6.   Harvesting.     Time  and  manner. 

6.  Use  and  application  of  the  product. 

7.  Labor  required  ;  and  general  expenses  of  a  crop. 

8.  Value  of  the  crop  for  use  or  sale. 
9    Marketing  of  the  product. 

IX.  Diseases   of  Crops.     Blight ;    mildew ;    rust ; 
curl ;  &,c.  &c. 

X.  Weeds  ;  and  Methods  of  Extermination. 

Thistles;  Canada  thistles;  brake;  laurel;  ox-eyed  daisy  or 
white  weed  ;  ranunculus  or  Butter  cup ;  wood  wax ;  pine-weed  ;  St 
John's  wort;  charlock  or  cadluc ;  sorrel ;  cockle  ;  tares  ;  chess  or 
cheat,  ^c.  dtc. 

XI.  Refuse  of  Crops.     Preservation  ;    value,    and 
use  for  fodder  or  manure. 

1.  Value  and  use  of  the  Stalks  and  Husks  of  Indian  Corn,  and 
how  preserved. 

2.  Value  and  use  of  the  Stalks  and  Husks  of  Broom  Corn. 

3.  "  "  of  the  Straw  of  Wheat,  Rye,  Oats  and 
Barley. 

4.  "  "  of  the  Haulm  of  Pease  and  Buck  Wheat. 

5.  "  "  of  Potato  Tops,  &c.  &c. 


It  may  be  useful  in  this  place  to  give  an  outline  of  the  man- 
ner in  which  it  may  be  desirable  to  conduct  the  inquiries.  I 
will  take  for  examples,  Wheat  and  Indian  Corn. 

Wheat. 

1.  History  of  its  Cultivation  in  the  State. 

2.  Kinds ;  bearded  or  bald  ;  flint  or  soft  skin  ;  red  or  white  ; 
summer  or  winter ;  where  obtained ;  by  what  name  or  quality 
designated  ;  average  weight  per  bushel. 

3.  Amount  of  any  particular  crop  ;  extent  of  land  sown. 

4.  Condition  of  the  land ;  nature  of  the  soil  ;  whether  newly 
cleared;  burnt;  swarded;  or  how  used  for  two  or  three  years 
previously  ;  how  prepared  for  sowing. 

5.  Kind  and  quantity  of  manure ;  use  of  lime  ;  plaster,  or 
any  compost  manure. 

6.  The  quantity  of  seed  to  an  acre,  and  preparation  of  the 
seed  ;  advantages  or  evils  of  steeping  the  seed. 

7.  The  time  of  sowing  ;  week  and  day,  if  possible  to  be  as- 
certained. The  importance  of  such  an  inquiry  as  this  will  ap- 
pear for  the  reasons  which  follow  : 

It  is  strongly  recommended  that  wheat  should  be  sown  before 
tlie  14th  of  September,  so  as  to  be  well  rooted  before  winter; 
thus  atfording  a  better  protection  against  frosts.  Or  else  so  late 
as  not  to  germinate  before  spring  ;  this  method  has  been  tried 
Or  frozen  in  water  in  the  autumn  and  kept  so  until  the  spring, 
which  experiment  is  reported  to  have  been  successful.  It  is 
often  desirable  for  wheat  to  follow  Indian  corn  ;  but  Indian 
corn  in  general  cannot  be  taken  off  in  season  to  get  the  wheat 
sown.  The  discovery  of  any  mode,  such  as  the  above  for  ex- 
ample, by  which  the  necessity  of  this  early  sowing  could  be  ob- 
viated, would   be  of  great  advantage. 

Wheat  sown  early  is  more  likely  to  have  passed  beyond  injury 
from  the  hot,  damp,  steaming  weather,  wiiich  occurs  in  July  and 
occasions  rust.  Query  ;  whether  late  sown  wlieat  is  not  likely 
to  pass  beyond  that  season  before  it  gets  into  a  condition  to  be 
injured,  which  is  while  it  is  in  the  milk. 

Late  sowing  of  wheat,  as  in  some  cases  the  last  of  May  and 
the  hrst  of  June,  it  is  stated,  has  carried  the  season  of  flowering 


beyond  the  the  time  of  tlie  wheat  insect,  and  the  crop  has  been 
saved. 

8.  The  diseases  or  accidents,  if  any  :  whether  aiTected  by  rust, 
smut,  or  mildew  ;  and  any  circumstances  of  weather,  situation, 
or  particular  condition  of  the  plant  connected  or  contemporane- 
ous with  such  occurrence.  The  situation  or  exposure  of  any 
blighted  field,  whether  high  and  airy,  or  low,  damp,  and  confined. 

9.  Whether  or  not  affected  by  the  vicinity  of  barberry  bushes. 

10.  Whether  winter  killed  or  not;  under  what  circumstances 
as  it  regards  the  forwardness  or  lateness  of  the  plant ;  and  how 
affected  by  the  snow. 

11.  Whether  attacked  by  the  Hessian  fly  or  other  insects ; 
and  preventives,  if  any. 

Wheat  is,  in  many  parts  of  the  country,  subject  to  injury 
from  an  insect  or  worm,  whose  appearance  is  comparatively  re- 
cent ;  and  whose  habits  are  not  well  ascertained.  He  is  mak- 
ing dreadful  havoc  in  the  wheat  regions,  producing  in  many 
cases,  an  entire  destruction  of  extensive  fields  of  tiie  most  prom- 
ising appearance  ;  and  has  advanced  at  the  rate  of  about  forty 
miles  a  year.  The  same  insect,  it  is  believed,  though  the  iden- 
tity is  not  perfectly  ascertained,  has  attacked  barley,  rye,  and 
oats  with  alarming  success.  The  cultivation  of  barley  has  on 
this  account  been  abandoned  in  Bome  parts  of  the  State  ;  and 
so  has  the  cultivation  of  wheat  in  what  have  heretofore  been 
deemed  some  of  the  most  productive  wheat  regions  in  New  York. 

Inquiries  and  experiments  on  this  subject  are  of  immense  im- 
portance. A  perfect  preventive  or  security  would  be  worth 
millions  to  the  country. 

12.  Remedies  or  protection  against  blight,  or  other  accident. 

13.  The  extirpation  of  weeds  particularly  injurious  to  the 
wheat  crop,  such  as  tares,  cockle,  chess,  garlic,  and  the  Canada 
thistle;  and  any  machinery  by  which  the  grain  may  be  cleansed 
of  "  foul  stuff." 

14.  The  experience  of  farmers  in  the  cultivation  of  wheat 
crops  successively  on  the  same  land  ;  and  in  sowing  clover  with 
jhe  wheat  with  a  view  to  ploughing  it  in  as  manure  for  a  suc- 
ceeding crop ;  and  whether  customarily  ploughed  in  with  the 
stubble  ;  or  depastured  ;  or  mowed  for  one  or  more  years. 

15.  The  general  subject  of  sowing  grass  with  grain;  and  the 
value  in  such  case  of  a  stubble  crop  for  winter  fodder. 


8 


16.  Harvesting. 

Time  and  state  of  cutting ;  and  whether  early  or  late  cutting 
be  preferable  ;  the  time,  in  the  opinion  of  some  persons,  mak- 
ing a  material  difference  in  the  amount  and  value  of  the  crop. 

Modes  of  harvesting ;  reaping  or  cradling  ;  and  cost  by  day 
or  piece  work  •  average  amount  of  a  day's  work, 

17.  Threshing  and  Cleaning, 

Threshing  Machines.     Winnowing  Machines, 

18.  Manufacture  of  Flour.  Various  qualities.  Number  of 
bushels  required  for  a  barrel.    Miller's  charges  and  profits. 

19.  Construction  of  Mills  and  flouring  Machinery.  Water, 
steam,  and  wind  power.     Domestic  Mills. 

20.  Value  and  uses  of  bran. 

21.  Value  and  uses  of  Wheat  Straw. 

22.  Value  of  a  wheat  crop  compared  with  other  crops.  Aver- 
age yield, 

23.  Capacity  of  the  State  to  furnish  its  own  wheaten  bread. 

24.  Experiments  and  observations  in  regard  to  this  crop. 
Causes  of  its  general  failure. 

25.  Some  general  estimate  of  the  quantity  and  cost  of  imported 
flour  consumed  in  any  village,  town,  or  county. 

Indian  Corn. 

1.  Kinds.  Gourd  seed.  White  soft  Corn,  Sweet  Corn, 
Flint  Corn. 

2.  Varieties  of  Flint  Corn,  White;  yellow.  Weight  per 
bushel.  Comparative  amount  of  cob  and  grain  in  different  va- 
rieties, 

3.  Soils  most  suitable.  Preparation  of  land.  Crop,  if  any, 
which  it  may  best  succeed.  Fall  or  spring  ploughing.  How 
often  may  it  be  repeated  on  the  same  land. 

4.  Manuring  ;  kinds  of  manure  most  suitable  ;  quantity  to  the 
acre  ;  how  distributed — in  hills,  drills,  or  spread — applied  green 
or  rotted. 

Lime  ;  its  value  to  Corn — how  applied. 

Gypsum  ;  its  value  to  Corn — how  applied. 

Ashes;  its  value  to  Corn — how  applied  ;  crude  or  spent. 

5.  Seed — how  selected  ;  effects  of  selecting  in  increasing  the 


crop  ;  how  saved  ;  steeped  or  sowed  dry  ;  various  steeps  ;  cop- 
peras water  ;  lye  ;  rolling  in  tar  ;  coating  with  gypsum  or  ashes ; 
quantity  of  seed. 

6.  Time  of  planting ;  modes  of  planting — in  hills  or  drills; 
distance  of  plants;  protection  against  vermin  or  birds. 

7.  Cultivation.  Weeding;  ploughing  or  harrowing  among 
corn  ;  use  of  a  cultivator  ;  number  of  hoeings  ;  hilling  or  earth- 
ing up.  Topping  ;  suckering  ;  stripping  ;  with  the  effects  upon 
the  crop. 

8.  Value  of  the  corn  stalks  and  leaves  when  taken  green  ; 
and  mode  of  curing. 

9.  Alternate  rows  of  corn  and  potatoes.  Planting  pumpkins 
or  turnips  among  corn.  Sowing  grain  among  corn  for  a  suc- 
ceeding crop. 

10.  Harvesting.  Gathering  by  the  ear  ;  or  cutting  up  and 
stacking  in  the  field. 

11.  Preservation  of  the  Grain.     Construction  of  Granaries. 

12.  Preservation  and  comparative  value  of  the  stover  or  dried 
fodder. 

13.  Machines  for  shelling. 

14.  Average  yield  per  acre;  value  of  the  crop;  cost  of  cul- 
tivation from  beginning  to  readiness  for  the  mill.     Kiln-drying. 

15.  Value  and  uses  of  Indian  Corn — for  Dairy  Animals. 

for  fattening  stock, 
for  swine, 
for  horses, 
for  distillation, 
for  extraction  of  oil. 


10 


Having  thus  given  a  sketch  of  the  manner  in  which  it  is  pro 
posed  to  conduct  the  inquiries  on  particular  subjects,  in  respect 
to  which  it  would  confer  an  obligation  on  me  to  have  your  sug- 
gestions, or  those  of  any  other  experienced  farmer,  1  proceed  to 
other  great  topics,  to  be  embraced  by  the  survey. 

XII.  Manures, 

1.  Animal  Manures. 

Animal  excrements  ;  varieties  ;  comparative  value  ;  prepara- 
tions ;  uses. 

Decayed  bodies.     Refuse  of  slaughter  houses. 

Bone  ;  horn  ;  hair  ;   feathers  ;  wool. 

Fish.     Fish  oil.     Gurry  and  blubber.     Soap  suds. 

2.  Mineral  Manures. 

Lime  in  various  forms  and  compounds. 

Salt.     Marine  Shells.     Gypsum.    Clay.     Sand.     Marl. 

Dock  Mud.     Ashes  of  Mineral  Coal.     Burnt  Clay. 

3.  Vegetable  Manures. 

Ashes  of  wood  and  peat.     Soot.     Tanners'  Waste.     Straw. 
Leaves.     Sea  Weeds.     Rape  Dust.     Street  Manure. 
Green  Dressings,  ploughed  in.     Buck  Wheat.     Clover. 

4.  Artificial  Manures.     Composts. 

5.  Modes  of  applying  Manure. 

Mixed  or  clear  ;  solid  or  liquid  ;  in  drill  or  broadcast ;  in  fresh 
or  fermented  and  decayed  state  ; — at  what  season  of  the  year  or 
crop  ; — annually,  or  how  often  ;  in  what  quantity. 

Use  and  application  to  permanent  pastures  and  mowing  lands. 

6.  Manure  Houses  or  Cellars;  Vaults  for  the  preservation 
of  urine;  and  provisions  for  forming  compost  manures. 

Machines  for  the  application  of  liquid  manures. 

XIII.  Live  Stock. 

1.  Black  Cut  lie.     Horses.     Sheep.     Swine.     Poultry. 

2  Comparative  value  of  different  Breeds  of  animals  for  Stall, 
Work,  and  Dairy;  and  notices  of  herds  or  individuals  of  im- 
proved Breeds,  with  places  where  found. 

3.  Animals  known  among  us.  Native;  Hereford;  Black 
Spanish;  Devon;  ilolderness;  Yorkshire;  Alderney  ;  Ayrshire. 

Improved  Durham  Short  Horns. 

4.  The  subject  of  Breeding. 


11 

XIV.  Animals  for  Labor. 

Horses  and  Oxen.  Comparative  value.  Mules.  Cost  of 
keep  ;  harness ;  shoeing ;  deterioration  or  improvement. 

XV.  Animals  for  Beef. 

1.  Sex  most  eligible. 

2.  How  reared  ;  as  calves,  how  fed  ;  how  long  with  the  cow  ; 
how  managed  the  first  winter. 

3.  What  age  at  maturity.     Age  best  for  fattening. 

4.  If  pastured — average  number  of  acres  to  an  animal. 

5.  If  soiled;  how  managed  and  fed. 

6.  If  stalled  on  dry  feed,  how  fed  ;  how  long  kept ;  amount 
of  hay  consumed  per  day  :  of  meal ;  of  vegetables ;  kinds  of 
meal ;  kinds  of  vegetables ;  how  prepared  ;  meal  ground  with 
or  without  cob ;  mixed  or  unmixed  ;  wet  or  dry ;  cooked  or  raw. 

7.  Use  of  flaxseed  ;  oil  ;  and  oil  cake  in  fattening. 

8.  Gain  per  day;  per  month. 

9.  Machines  for  cutting  and  steaming  food. 

XVI.  Market  ;   Returns  of  Brighton  and  Danvers 
Markets. 

1.  Animals — how  sold — on  the  hoof;  or  by  weight  after 
slaughter.  If  by  weight,  how  determined ;  customs  of  butch- 
ers ;  what  parts  weighed  ;  what  considered  as  perquisites.  Lia- 
bilities to  error  or  frauds  if  any;  customs  in  other  markets. 

2.  Different  parts — how  disposed  of;  relative  value. 

3.  Modes  of  curing,  packing,  inspecting  beef,  pork,  hams, 
&-C.  &c. 

4.  Drift  of  animals  ;  customs  of  Drovers ;  expenses;  loss  in 
■weight  by  travelling. 

XVII.  Animals  for  the  Dairy. 

1.  Choice  of  Breeds,  Examples  and  history  of  Cows  of  ex- 
traordinary product. 

2.  Size  and  color  as  affecting  produce.  Continuance  in 
milking.  Effects  of  early  coming  in.  Disposition  of  the  calf. 
Times  of  milking. 

3.  Average  yield  of  a  good  cow  in  milk ;  in  butter  ;  in  cheese. 

4.  Trials  of  milk  as  to  quantity  of  cream  ;  of  butter  ;  and  of 
cheese,  per  gallon. 


12 

5.  Modes  of  feeding ;  vegetables  ;  grain ;  or  meal ;  how  given 
or  prepared ;  quantity. 

XVIII.  Dairy  Produce. 

1.  Butter  ;  modes  of  making  and  preserving. 

2.  Cheese  ;  modes  of  making  and  preserving. 

3.  Comparative  profits  of  making  butter  and  cheese. 

4.  Use  of  skim  milk,  butter-milk,  and  whey. 

5.  Advantages,  if  any,  of  giving  it  to  the  Cow. 
G.  Value  of  dairy  refuse  for  Swine. 

7.  What  proportion  between  number  of  Cows  kept,  and  num- 
ber of  Swine  kept. 

8.  Steaming;  heating;  freezing  milk,  with  comparative  ad- 
vantages of  each  method  for  raising  cream. 

9.  Effects  of  different  kinds  of  salt  upon  butter.  Use  of  su- 
gar and  salt  petre  for  butter.     Coloring  matter  for  cheese. 

10.  Protection  from  vermin. 

11.  Grasses  for  Dairy  purposes. 

12.  Churns  ;  presses  ;  spring  houses ;  pans. 

XIX.  Swine. 

1.  Breeds.  Maturity,  and  age  for  fattening.  Average  weight 
when  fattened. 

U.  Mode  of  raising  ;  in  stye  or  at  large  ;  pasturage  or  soiling 
on  clover. 

3.  Fattening  ;  value  of  vegetables  ;  value  of  meal  ;  prepara- 
tion of  food  ;  raw  ;  steamed  ;  boiled  ;  fermented.  Gain  per  day, 
per  month.     Season  best  for  fattening.     Time  of  killing. 

4.  Assortment  of  parts  ;  packing  of  pork  ;  curing  of  hams ; 
making  of  sausages,  &lc.  &c. 

5.  Trial  of  different  kinds  of  food.  Corn  ;  rye  ;  barley  ;  oats  ; 
broom  corn  ;  pease  ;  apples  ;  potatoes,  &c.  &-c. 

XX.  Sheep. 

1.  Breeds;  crosses. 

2.  Yield  in  wool.  Time  of  shearing.  Mode  of  washing  and 
cleansing.     Mode  of  doing  up  the  fleece. 

3.  Yield  in  mutton.  Age  for  fattening ;  mode  of  fattening. 
Comparative  value  of  different  kinds  of  feed.  Vegetables ; 
corn  :  oats  ;  oil-cake,  «Stc.  d^-c. 


13 


4.  General  management.  Choice  of  Buck.  Time  of  lamb- 
ing. Mode  of  winter  keeping. 

5.  History  of  particular  flocks. 

6.  Sheep  houses.     Sheep  racks. 

XXI.  Horses.     Mules. 

How  raised.  How  kept.  Shoeing.  General  management. 
Comparative  value  for  labor. 

XXII.  Animals  kept  for  Breeding. 

Bull.     Stallion.     Ram.     Boar. 

Valuable  points  ;  defects  ;  general  management. 

XXIII.  Feeding  of  Animals. 

1.  Pasturage.     Winter  keeping. 

2.  Soiling  of  Animals  ;  articles  to  be  cultivated  for  this  pur- 
pose. 

3.  Cutting  feed.  Steaming  or  cooking.  Green  vegetable  • 
feed ;  dry  feed. 

XXIV.  Poultry. 

Kinds  ;  Management ;  Comparative  Value. 

XXV.  Diseases  of  Domestic  Animals. 

Of  Horses  ;  Cattle  ;  Sheep  ;  Swine  ;  Poultry  ;  and  remedies. 

XXVI.  Farm  Buildings. 

1.  Barns.     Stables.     Styes.     Poultry  Houses. 

2.  Modes  of  fastening  and  harnessing  cattle.  Stalls ;  man- 
gers ;  stanchions ;  ropes  ;  chains  ;  bows. 

3.  Yokes  and  harnesses. 

4.  Dwelling  Houses,  with  comparative  cost  of  stone,  brick, 
and  wood.  Improvements  in  apparatus  for  cooking  ;  and  for 
warming  houses. 

XXVII.  Bees. 

Cultivation  of  Feed  for  Bees,  Construction  of  Hives.  Pro- 
tection against  the  Bee  Moth. 

XXVIII.  Orchards.     Gardens. 

1.  Varieties  of  Fruits,  with  methods  of  propagation  and 
selection. 

2.  Varieties  of  Esculent  Vegetables,  with  methods  of  cul- 
tivation. 


14 

XXIX.  Diseases  of  Trees  and  Plants. 

XXX.  Injurious  Insects  and  Vermin. 

Borer.  Canker  Worms.  Caterpillars.  Potato  Worms.  To- 
bacco Worm.  Slugs.  Bee  Moth.  Turnip  Fly.  Crows  and 
Black  Birds.     Woodchucks.     Foxes.     Field  Mice.     Rats. 

XXXI.  Fences. 

Stone  Walls.  Rail  Fences.  Live  Hedges.  Hedge  and 
Ditch.     Raised  Banks,  &c. 

XXXII.  Forest  Trees. 

1.  For  Timber.     For  Fuel. 

2.  Modes  of  raising.  Care  of  Forests.  Time  and  modes  of 
cutting. 

3.  Nurseries  of  Fruit  and  Forest  Trees. 

4.  Plants  for  Hedges  and  Fences. 

XXXIII.  General  Improvements. 

Clearing  Wild  Land. 

Removing  Stumps  and  Stones. 

Draining. 

Irrigation. 

Paring  and  Burning. 

Gravelling  low  Meadows. 

Improving  Peat  Meadows. 

XXXIV.  Great  Farming  Operations. 

1.  Ploughing. 

2.  Sowing  ;  Planting ;  Laying  down  to  Grass. 

3.  Haymaking. 

4.  Harvesting. 

5.  Preserving  and  Expending  the  Produce. 

6.  Marketing. 

XXXV.  Examples  in  detail  and  in  full  of 

1.  General  Farm  Management. 

2.  Particular  Crops. 

3.  Particular  Improvements. 

XXXVI.  Labor. 

1.  Farm  Labor  by  the  month  or  year. 

2.  "  by  the  piece. 

3.  Cost  of  Board  and  prices  of  Provisions. 


15 

4.  Use  of  Spirituous  Liquor. 

5.  Laws  and  Customs  relating  to  Labor. 

Mechanical  Labor. 

1.  Blacksmith.     Price  per  pound  of  Iron. 

"  Price  of  Horse  shoeing.     Ox  shoeing. 

2.  Carpenters'  Work,  per  day. 

3.  Masons'  Work,  per  day. 

4.  Wheelrights'  Work,  per  piece. 

5.  General  cost  of  Farming  Utensils;  Carriages;  and  Equip- 
ments. 

XXXVII.  Farming  Implements,  &c. 

Ploughs.  Plarrows.  Horse  Rakes.  Cultivators  and  Horse 
Hoes.  Threshing  Machines.  Winnowing  Machines.  Vege- 
table Slicers.  Hay  Cutters.  Rollers.  Drill  Machines.  Corn 
Planters.  Corn  Shellers.  Wheel  Carriages.  Stump  Extrac- 
tors, &z,c.  &c. 

XXXVIII.  Condition  of  Roads  and  Improvements 
in  Construction  of  Roads,  as  intimately  connect- 
ed with  the  Agricultural  Prosperity  of  a  Country. 

XXXIX.  Miscellaneous  Subjects. 

1.  Size  of  Farms. 

2.  Farm  Capital. 

3.  Farm  Accounts. 

4.  Laws  relating  to  Agriculture. 

5.  Taxes  and  Burdens  upon  Land. 

6.  Agricultural  Pauper  Establishments. 

7.  Agricultural  and  Manual  Labor  Schools  and  Colleges. 

8.  Agricultural  Societies.  Funds.  Premiums.  Operations, 
Cattle  Shows. 

9.  Agricultural  Libraries  and  Publications. 

XL.  Manufactures  connected  with  Agriculture. 

L  Household  Manufactures.  Manufactures  of  Wool,  silk, 
flax,  hemp,  hair,  bristles,  straw,  &,c.  &c. 

2.  Leather,  with  all  its  various  preparations. 

3.  Glue,  Combs.  Buttons.  Bonnets  and  Hats  from  grass, 
straw,  or  wool.     Wooden  Ware.     Barrels. 


16 

Maple  Sugar.  Maple  Molasses.  Beet  Sugar.  Potato  Syrup. 
Starch.  Opium.  Sunflower  Oil.  Indian  Com  Oil.  Linseed 
Oil.     Neat's  foot  Oil.    Wine  from  Grapes.    Wine  from  Currants. 

Cider.     Perry.     Beer  and  Ale.     Whiskey.     Gin. 

Soap.     Candles. 

XLI.  Objects  of  Particular  Inquiry,  with  a  view  to 
Agricultural  Improvements. 

1.  Improvements  in  Live  stock. 

2.  "  in  Utensils  and  Farm  Buildings. 

3.  "  in  New  Vegetables,  Fruits,  and  Grasses. 

4.  **  in  Seeds  for  earliness  and  abundant  yield. 

5.  "  in  economical  Preparations    and    Uses   of 

Food  for  Man  and  Beast. 

6.  "  in  economical  Uses  of  Fuel. 

7.  ''  in   economical  application  of   human    and 

brute  Labor. 

8.  "  in  application  of  water,  steam  or  wind  pow- 

er to  purposes  of  husbandry. 

9.  "  in  cultivation — depth  of  ploughing  ;  mixing 
of  soils  ;  compost  manures;  manuring  with  green  crops;  invert- 
ing and  covering  the  sward  ;  drill  culture ;  sowing  broad-cast ; 
management  of  any  particular  crop,  &lc,.  &c. 

10.  Improvements  in  rotation  of  crops. 

11.  "  in  uses  of  Lime  ;  Gypsum;  Bone  dust. 

12.  "  in  application  of  Ashes  ;  crude  or  spent. 

13.  "  in  application    or  discovery  of  other  ma- 

nures. 

14.  **  in  construction  of  Farm  Buildings. 

XLII.  Exports  and  Imports  of  Agricultural  Produce. 
Capacity  of  the  State  lo  supply  its  own  Wants.   General  Views. 

XLIII.  Specimens  of  Soil  to  be  analyzed. 

Models  of  improved  Implements. 

Models  of  improved  Buildings. 

Sketches  of  improved  modes  of  draining  lands. 

Collection  of  valuable  Seeds  or  Plants. 

Samples  of  Wool,  Silk,  and  Sugar. 


17 

I  have  thus,  sir,  laid  before  you  the  principal  objects  designed 
to  be  embraced  in  an  Agricultural  Survey  of  the  State.  It  is 
not  of  course  expected  that  every  farmer,  possibly  not  any  single 
farmer,  will  be  able  to  give  me  information  on  every  subject 
here  enumerated  ;  nor  will  any  farm  or  any  town  in  the  Com- 
monwealth furnish  examples  of  all  the  various  crops,  operations, 
and  stocks  here  mentioned.  But  what  is  wanting  in  one,  may 
doubtless  be  found  in  another;  and  as  no  subject  is  mentioned 
in  which  the  agriculture  of  the  State  is  not  directly  concerned, 
it  is  hoped  that  much  valuable  and  practical  information  may  be 
collected  in  regard  to  all.  It  will  be  my  province  to  gather  up 
the  fragments  that  nothing  be  lost.  I  earnestly  solicit,  there- 
fore, your  particular  aid  in  acquiring  this  information;  and  the 
communication  of  your  knowledge  or  experience,  either  by 
writing,  conversation,  advice,  or  in  any  form  in  which  you  will 
please  to  give  it.  Any  trouble  which  any  gentleman  may  take 
upon  himself  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  information  shall  be 
always  most  gratefully  acknowledged. 

I\ly  duty  will  require  me  to  visit  every  town  in  the  State  ;  and 
my  wish  is  to  visit  every  principal  farm  in  every  town,  the  man- 
agement of  which  promises  to  afford  useful  information.  In 
determining  what  particular  farms  to  visit,  it  is  obvious  that  I 
must  necessarily  be  directed  by  the  advice  or  suggestions  of 
others,  which  I  shall  always  be  most  happy  to  receive ;  but,  in 
order  to  avoid  all  invidiousness,  I  beg  leave  to  state  distinctly, 
in  the  outset,  that,  unless  prevented  by  extraordinary  circum- 
stances, I  will  visit  every  farmer,  who  will  do  me  the  kindness  to 
invite  me  to  his  premises  ;  and  I  have  perfect  confidence  in  find- 
ins  oftentimes  as  creditable  and  instructive  management  among 
small  farmers  as  among  those  who  pursue  agriculture  upon  an 
extensive  scale.  I  therefore  solicit  such  invitations  ;  and  will 
gladly  avail  myself  of  them. 

I  purpose  to  make  the  survey  by  Counties,  and  am  anxious  to 
prosecute  it  with  all  convenient  despatch.  I  beg  the  farmers  to 
whom  this  Circular  is  sent,  to  give  it  an  attentive  and  repeated 
examination.  The  objects  of  the  survey  are  most  important  to 
the  farming  interest.  I  go  to  seek  information  from  practical 
men;  and  shall  be  happy  to  communicate  all  that  I  receive.  I 
3 


18 

solicit  the  correspondence  and  co-operation  of  such  men.  It  is 
reasonable  to  hope  that  the  inquiries  will  elicit  much  valuable 
knowledge  ;  that  they  will  contribute  to  excite  and  strengthen  a 
spirit  of  improvement  in  agriculture,  this  most  honorable  and 
useful  pursuit ;  that  they  will  unfold  agricultural  resources  and 
capacities  of  which  we  were  not  fully  aware  ;  that  they  will 
strengthen  those,  which  already  exist  and  present  new  reasons 
for  a  devoted  attachment  to  our  native  State  ;  a  State,  which,  if 
its  soil  be  comparatively  hard  and  sterile,  and  its  climate  severe, 
is  in  a  high  degree  favorable  to  longevity,  to  strength  of  muscle, 
vigor  of  intellect,  and  moral  energy  ;  furnishes  an  ample  reward 
to  patient  industry,  temperance  and  frugality  ;  and  under  the 
administration  of  upright  magistrates,  and  wholesome  and  equal 
laws,  which  she  has  so  long  and  eminently  enjoyed,  abounds 
in  the  elements  of  domestic  comfort,  and  social  improvement 

and  prosperity. 

Yours  respectfully, 

HENRY  COLMAN. 

Boston,  June,  1837. 

P.  S.  Communications  and  letters  relating  to  the  Survey 
may  be  addressed  to  the  subscriber  at  Boston.  They  may  be 
forwarded  by  private  conveyance  to  the  Post  office  in  Boston , 
or  directly  by  mail,  if  otherwise  not  convenient. 


